WELSH rugby legend Phil Bennett has called on Gareth Jenkins to leave out fly-half Stephen Jones against England... for the skipper's own good.

As the crescendo for James Hook to play at No 10 gathers even further pace, the former Wales and Lions great admitted he too believed the time had come for Jones to stand aside.

But he emphasised that Jones should still be Wales fly-half for the World Cup.

"Stephen looked battered, bruised and bewildered. If I was picking the team to face England next week, I would be tempted to leave him out," he declared.

"It does a player no good to keep losing because confidence starts to wane and you get into a vicious circle of defeat and dented self-belief.

"Sometimes you need to take a player out of the firing line, otherwise the bullets start to find their target.

"Perhaps it's time for the skipper to stand aside for the last match of the tournament. It would give him a chance to recharge his batteries with the Scarlets over the coming weeks, without the pressure of this losing streak.

"I wouldn't just stop at Jones. There are a few others in the Welsh side who appear weighed down.

"My fear is that Stephen and others have that haunted look of men who can't break out of a rut.

"But I still believe Jones should captain Wales at the World Cup and is our best No 10."

Wales coach Jenkins has furiously resisted calls from the Welsh public to leave out Jones and pick Hook, Wales man of the match during Saturday's defeat in Rome, in the pivotal fly-half role.

But his hand could be forced anyway this week because of the eye injury Jones sustained during the 23-20 loss to the Italians.

Jones will see a specialist today to assess his fitness for the Millennium Stadium clash against England after having four stitches inserted in a cut and problems with his vision.

Hook said, "If I'm picked at No 10, I will relish the chance. But Stephen's a great player and at the moment I'm happy to play anywhere for Wales."